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Rising From The Dead

22 Oct

Lately, this is what I look like on my GOOD days...

Alas, I am alive. For those of you who don’t follow me on facebook (which you should!), I am in grad school right now (for something completely unrelated to music that involves lots and lots of reading), so my site management has been subpar at best. As most of you who have ever pursued advanced academic endeavors and attempted to have a social life may well know, the toll it can take on your free time, thus rendering any semblance of “social” purely catatonic. Nevertheless, I’m back momentarily from the dead to add a bit here and there. I dusted off my controller the other night – after hours and hours of reading left me in a state of insomnia – and finally put together the October 2011 Podcast (though I technically still owe you for September…let’s let that one slide ;-)

I’ll be back here seasonally in the meantime, posting interviews, mixes, and new music and fashion I love every month of so (in more of a magazine-like fashion), so stay tuned. Also, be sure to come back in a few hours to get the October Podcast. You won’t be sorry you did!

- Retail DJ

Updates

7 Jul

Hey everyone. The site is undergoing a slight renovation (not aesthetically, just content-wise), so note that there may be some moments of wonkiness here and there. Also, please note that the Soundcloud account (www.soundcloud.com/retaildj) has also undergone some renovations – namely in terms of mixes. The Soundcloud account (of 36 hours) expires on July 9th, hence my clearing most of the files and leaving only the most recent mixes/podcasts, HOWEVER, never fret. Everything will be available here at Retail DJ for download as long as the site shall live :-)

Also note that any newly released mixes, podcasts, and interviews will also be on Soundcloud for streaming/downloading/sharing, though for a limited time (until the newer pieces come out and thus replace them), but then will be archived here.

- Retail DJa

Ouch!

6 May

“Ouch!”

The sound I made when I saw the date of my last Retail DJ post. I am totally ashamed that it’s been more than a week since I’ve “set foot” here, so my sincerest apologies. It’s been a bit of a busy week, one in which, among many many other things, Osama had a meeting with Death and my puppy Brodinski had a meeting with the vet. Though the circumstances were certainly different, with one man being punished for being a terrorist leader and another a puppy being neutered, the end result was my being utterly preoccupied.

Nevertheless, don’t fret. There will be full posts later tonight, tomorrow, and Sunday, along with a new artist profile next week AND the May podcast! So sit tight – there’s a lot more coming soon! :-)

ChChChChChan-ges!

11 Apr

So there are going to be a few format changes on the site. Never fear – it’s all going to be for the good. In the meantime, keep enjoying the posts. I’ll include updates as they are available!

 

- Retail DJ

Retail DJ April 2011 Podcast!

8 Apr

 

(photo courtesy of Pitulineta)

Over the past few months, as many of you may know, I’ve been doing quite a bit in terms of my personal life. Beyond the family and romance bit, there have been some changes in terms of work (I went in full-time on Retail DJ) and my academic career (I applied to grad school). The results were all positive, with the exception of the tough part that came at the end: deciding to whom I would say “yes.” After lots of careful thought, university visits, budgeting, planning, and nights spent with my eyes glued to mindmaps and pro/con lists on neon paper squares, I made the decision to stay in NYC for grad school.

However, during that process, particularly in the last month, I had been playing around on the mixer and using my mood to dictate what went into this podcast. I really wanted the songs to speak to each other – literally and figuratively – as they came together in the mix. Take, for example, the transition from a Sissy Knobby track to Mike Q’s “Ha Dub” rework. Considering Sissy Knobby’s transgressive performance of gender as a part of the now well-documented “sissy bounce” movement in New Orleans and DJ Mike Q’s presence within the NYC and NJ gay ballroom scene, there is no doubt that the two pieces fit, both thematically and musically. Then there’s “What I Need” by Curses! speaking directly to Hot Chip’s chanting on Jesse Rose’s “Forget My Name.” I let the songs talk to each other in a sense. It’s something that I truly enjoy when putting together these podcasts. Though a stressful and time-consuming process, I find that I learn a lot about the way music works and the power of even the simplest beats and lyrics.

Just a production note: this podcast was put together using my Vestax mixer with Serato and Itch, with final editing (i.e. voiceovers) done in Garage Band on my MacBook Pro.

click to play; click the small arrow on the right to download

or download here: Retail DJ April 2011 Podcast (right click + save as)

tracklist

sebastiAn – embody
kraak & smaak – thinking back
ttc – telephone
djuma soundsystem – junkies vs. rain (djuma bootleg)
kraak & smaak – plastic people
tony senghore – if you came here (shir khan remix)
jesse rose (feat hot chip) – forget my name
curses! – what i need
ka§par – so right
sissy knobby – lay me down (renaissance man remix)
dj mike q – the ha dub rewerk’d
savage skulls (feat tony senghore and sprinkle juice) – watching you (dub version)
mstrkrft – paris
savage skulls – caravan (jacques greene remix)
voices of life (feat sharon pass) – word is love (mercury edit)
database – your heart
todd edwards – come around
makam – you might lose it (kerri chandler kaoz 623 remix)
homework – hudson square

 

- Retail DJ

Breaking the Fourth Wall: Realities

18 Feb

Dear Readers,

Though I rarely go into depth about my personal life on Retail DJ, this time, I am breaking the fourth wall. I come bearing news: both the good, and the bad. I’ll start with the good because that always helps soften rough news.

The Good:

All that stress during my small hiatus paid off: I did well on the GREs, submitted all my applications on time, and I have already received news regarding one of my grad school applications! I have been accepted into one of the schools to which I applied, and am now awaiting word from the others. It’s a huge relief, and I am thrilled to have at least part of this process over and done with!

The Bad:

One of my dear cousins died on Monday, Valentine’s Day, so I will be traveling out of town this weekend for his funeral. He worked in production (film and music), so of course we had plenty of shared interests. He was an inspirational figure to many and loved among all of his friends. It’s a really tragic, untimely loss, but I am sure he is still doing amazing things wherever he may be. That said, there will be a “moment of silence,” if you will, on the site this weekend, with posts resuming on Tuesday. Though I normally would post something for the long weekend, it’s more appropriate that I not.

In the meantime, enjoy the previous posts and mixes, and be sure to check back on Tuesday for lots of new updates (including an old school French rap throwback)!

Have a great weekend, everyone, and a safe and enjoyable holiday.

- Retail DJ

What IS Retail DJ?

30 Jan

Though the one-year anniversary for this site passed in January, there are still some readers, friends, colleagues, and facebook followers trying to wrap their heads around what the heck Retail DJ actually IS. So I decided that for those who weren’t *quite* following along on a regular basis or simply too busy with life to pay attention, I would give you the ins and outs of this here site :)

Here’s our mission, followed by a 10 point list to further explain:

mission:

Retail DJ is a site about incorporating you into the infinite pairing of music and fashion. A love story for the ears and eyes, Retail DJ profiles mixes that can serve as the soundtrack to your life, introduces you to DJs and designers you should know, and lets you peek into the closets of the unique and talented.

10 Points:

1. profiling independent designers from around the world with an exclusive interview and photoshoot

2. profiling DJs and/or producers from around the world via an exclusive interview, photoshoot, and mix (provided by the interviewee)

3. posting original site content about trends in fashion and music with a particular focus on underground or media underrepresented

4. re-posting music (singles and/or full mixes) from other sites, blogs, podcasts, etc that match this site’s musical aesthetic (for play and often free download)

5. creating a monthly podcast for play and free download

6. posting videos of music and fashion related items

7. providing promotional support to featured musical artists and designers in addition to promoting events that align with the site’s mission/content

8. organizing and hosting occasional parties/events to promote the site and simultaneously showcase the talent of our featured artists

9. fostering a community for music and fashion lovers

10. serving as a conduit/network for independent DJs, producers, and designers to support and learn from one another

 

I hope that helps clear things up!

- Retail DJ

 

 

Random Aside: The Retail DJ Mascot

14 Jan

Brodinski (the dog, not the DJ)

I’ve been a bit MIA in the past week, despite my return to the site, mainly because I’ve been on vacation. But there’s another reason I haven’t had the free time to sit and type: Brodinski.

But when I say “Brodinski,” I am actually not referring to the French DJ, but instead the dog who has been named after him. Yes, I broke down and got a puppy. In between Brodinski (the dog, not the DJ) trying to eat the keys on the computer and learning to poop and pee in the right spot (aka on the paper and NOT on the hardwood floor), blogging is a little bit hard. However, I’m back in the saddle and ready to do some damage (the good kind, of course).

Be on the lookout for more posts as well as the January podcast, as well as new features int he coming weeks. ALSO, please do not forget to RSVP for WERK! The Retail DJ 1-Year Anniversary Party. Come out and get your dance on.

Yes, indeed, Retail DJ has turned 1-year old. But after all this hard work, I certainly will not be celebrating alone. . .

I’ll be partying with the help of 8 friends, and you and yours are invited to come!

Join me on Thursday, 1/27/11 for a party you won’t forget:

WERK!

The Retail DJ 1-Year Anniversary Party

w/ DJS:

EZRAKH / brick bandits

Lil Ray / trophy bar, beauty bar

Butter / submercer, vegas club sao paulo

Shomi Noise / sugarland, rebel cupcake

WooHoo / warmth records, turntable lab

Mark LaRush / flute gramercy, china one

&

Celebrity DJs (NSR + Dash Speaks) / ella, gallery bar

1/27/11

10 pm – 4 am

Gallery Bar @ 120 Orchard Street, NYC

arrive early for give aways, drink specials, and more!

RSVP via facebook

- Retail DJ

WERK! The Retail DJ 1-Year Anniversary Party

9 Jan

Yes, indeed, Retail DJ has turned 1-year old. But after all this hard work, I certainly will not be celebrating alone. . .

I’ll be partying with the help of 8 friends, and you and yours are invited to come!

 

Join me on Thursday, 1/27/11 for a party you won’t forget:

WERK!

The Retail DJ 1-Year Anniversary Party

w/ DJS:

EZRAKH / brick bandits

Lil Ray / trophy bar, beauty bar

Butter / submercer, vegas club sao paulo

Shomi Noise / sugarland, rebel cupcake

WooHoo / warmth records, turntable lab

Mark LaRush / flute gramercy, china one

&

Celebrity DJs (NSR + Dash Speaks) / ella, gallery bar

1/27/11

10 pm – 4 am

Gallery Bar @ 120 Orchard Street, NYC

arrive early for give aways, drink specials, and more!

RSVP via facebook


*flyer credit: Nina Yang

- Retail DJ

Musical Memory

3 Jan

After leaving a club tightly packed with sweaty people and before walking a street with only one, whose main mission was to harass me until I said “hi,” I was on the train. With my black hood covering my eyes, my gold hoop earrings and my mouth the only visible reminders that my face was there below the fabric, I had a moment. I was alone, just my music and me, and had time to think about what laid the foundation for my love of music.

A few nights ago, a good friend asked when was it that I had discovered my love of music and dancing, and I responded “infancy.” My first experience with music took place when I was only a few months old, crawling instead of walking my way to the stereo and turning the volume up full blast. Suspended by my own surprise, I screamed and cried, but couldn’t move. Something about the music held me there, alarmed yet frozen, until my mother came to my rescue. The rest was history really, with music being a constant figure in my childhood and for the rest of my life.

Tonight, on the train, as I searched for music by Homework the group, I came across Homework the album, Daft Punk’s first full LP and my first house music purchase. There were cds that came before, of course, such as Moby’s “I Like to Score,” The Prodigy’s “Music for a Jilted Generation,” and Fatboy Slim’s “Better Living Through Chemistry” that influenced my taste, but I can easily say that Daft Punk’s “Homework” changed my life.

I urge you, in this new year, to think back on your musical memories. What made your musical taste what it is today? What was a pivotal moment or period for you as you began to develop your own musical aesthetic?

- Retail DJ

Aaaaand . . . We’re Back!

28 Dec

 

After a month-long hiatus, it’s time to blow off the dust here at Retail DJ. I’m back from the grad school application process, and I’ve made it out alive. Though I will be spending the next few weeks getting caught up on all the music I missed, the new artists I don’t recognize, and all the goodies some of you have left me in my Soundcloud dropbox, I’m excited to get plugged in to give you some great pieces to bring in the new year. In the meantime, stay posted for new and exciting features, music, fashion, and more . . . only at Retail DJ.

 

- Retail DJ

Another Update: Retail DJ. . . Study Break?

9 Nov

Dear Readers, Listeners, Supporters, and Fans,

I’ve come to the realization that there is absolutely not enough time in a day.

Wait, I came to that realization a very long time ago, circa 7th grade.

But in the present, on the heels of a lot of things hitting a peak, I need to take a little break. No one died or anything, I just need to have a little more time to study and prepare for grad apps and tests. . . that and I need a *little* sleep :-)

However, the really good news is that the profiles from featured artists with whom I worked last month will still go up as planned AND I’ll be back here and there to give you Monday morning mixes and music to which you can do some holiday traveling.

My goal is to be back in the saddle completely by Christmas, if not earlier.

My suggestion for what to do in the meantime? Get caught up! Go back through the older posts, check out all the featured artist profiles, and have a listen to all exclusive mixes on the Retail DJ Soundcloud.

Also, get ready for the big Retail DJ 1-yr anniversary in January. More details coming soon! In the meantime, happy holidays and safe travels in advance, but don’t get too conditioned to the silence – I’m coming back with a bang!

- Retail DJ

Updates!

7 Nov

In order to keep everyone in the loop, I wanted to inform you of the following updates:

1. I am now working on Retail DJ on a more full-time basis. Though I am doing part-time day job work and grad school applications as well, you may have noticed that posts here are more frequent. This is why.

2. The Music Archive page has been removed. I am adding tracklists to every post retroactively in hopes of filling this void!

3. I am in the process of lining up interviews with featured artists for the winter season in order to continue bringing you more exclusive interviews, photoshoots, and mixes. Get excited!

4. Kristal and I are preparing for the 1-yr anniversary party for the site, so keep the end of January free – it’s going to be a great night! More details soon!

5. I am working on new features, pages, and more for the site, so just sit tight. There are more goodies to come :-)

What Is the Future of Music and Fashion?

1 Nov

What's It Gonna Be Then, Eh?

After last week’s slight scare from Gizmodo that Technics 1200 turntables were going to be discontinued and New York Magazine’s announcement that the hipster was indeed dead, it made me wonder about the future of music and fashion. Of course, the turntable announcement (which was later updated to show that it was only ONE model that would be discontinued, not the whole product line) frightened me more than that of the death of hipsterdom, but both made me think seriously about whether or not everything music and fashion would be reduced to something less tangible, less real. The real kicker came when I stumbled upon an article about the death of the web. The post focused on the increased growth in the app market and how its presence and obvious dwarfing of sites and internet-based programs that require some semblance of engagement (i.e. iTunes) may be a sign that the web is in its final days. There are always generational shifts and technology fears, but with our world changing so quickly, much more rapidly than ever before, could these pieces actually mean something?

(more…)

Winter Casting Call

26 Oct

Dear DJs and Designers,

I want a piece of you . . . or at least a few photos and some ear candy. If you or someone you know would like to be featured on Retail DJ, please send an email with a little information about yourself, your work, and a sample or two of what you do (i.e. a soundcloud page link, etsy page, etc) to: retaildj@gmail.com.

I’m doing my own search as well, of course, but I’m all about self-nominations too! So don’t be shy! Send me your stuff and brag away.

- Retail DJ

Hate Reading? Too Lazy to Download? Never Fret.

11 Sep

I recognize that for those of you who hate reading, are lazy, or generally don’t have (ahem, make) as much time to learn about all the great music out there, the best way to stay connected is by letting technology do all the heavy lifting. I also recognize that Retail DJ, in its present state, it made for those who are ok with doing most of the work themselves, aka checking the site daily for new posts, downloading and listening to new music on a daily basis, etc. HOWEVER, I want to make it easier for you all. Enter . . . the Retail DJ content podcast.

It’s much faster and easier to stay connected to Retail DJ than ever these days, thanks to the magic of RSS feeds and a little thing called iTunes. For those of you who have Mac computers and thus have Safari, the process only takes a few steps.

1. open the Safari browser

2. go to http://www.retaildj.com

3. in the address bar, click a little button that says “RSS” (then “RSS 2.0″)

4. then once the screen changes to RSS mode, click “this month”

5. down below where it says “Actions,” click “subscribe to RSS on iTunes”

6. once in iTunes, be sure to “get all,” so you’ll have all the music-happy links from this month

7. enjoy :-)

*Any posts that were only soundcloud links will not show up in iTunes and you will need to manually download those. However, for the future, I will be sure to include an mp3 or m4a link for those available so that it shows up in the feed!

- Retail DJ

New Kid on the Block: SHIV!

3 Sep

There’s a new kid on the block here at Retail DJ. Adding to the crew (presently Wendi Muse, Editor, and Kristal Munoz, Photographer), we now have Shiv Patel, who will be guest blogging her musings fashion trends, style, and anything else that suits her fancy!

Here’s a little more on Shiv:

After graduating in Finance at California State University, Pomona, Shiv Patel dove into the world of Hollywood. Two years into her career at Warner Bros. Pictures in Los Angeles CA, she longed for a career change. Her appreciation for fashion (combined with her business background and her passion for writing) motivated her to move out of the entertainment industry and into something different. In the beginning of June 2010, she moved to NYC to focus on the business of fashion and to ignite her writing career. Shiv currently works under the fashion label, J. Mendel and will certainly prove to be a key member of the Retail DJ team writing about what she considers an art form that makes consumers around the world all the more open-minded.

In order for you to get to know Shiv a little better, I picked her brain beyond her bio:

1. Who is your favorite designer and why?

I personally enjoy shopping in boutiques and appreciate indie designers. Not to say that high-end designers are not respectable, but it is not the label that creates the brand, it is the designer.

2. How do fashion and music connect in your life?

They both connect to my heart. Music pierces my soul and spirit. Fashion is something I crave in my life. I have an infatuation with the clever artistic revelation that is transformed when put into a humanistic form. Then combined with music, they create an amazing art piece that anyone can truly appreciate.

3. If you were forced to make an accessory from a kitchen item, what would you choose and what accessory would you make?

I would tale silicone or metal whisks and break them apart to make fun bracelets.

We’re super happy to have Shiv on board! Here first pieces will be up tomorrow, so stay posted!

- Retail DJ

Updates

8 Aug

Though I am going to Brazil in just a few days and will be super busy in the days leading up to Thursday,  a lot is going on behind the scenes!

I am working on several new podcasts (the Retail DJ August Podcast, a Memphis rap mix, and a mix of the electronic music  on which I “cut my teeth”), updating the Music Archive, and putting together the fall lineup for DJ and designer interviews! Speaking of which, the exclusive Retail DJ “What’s Good?” Interview of Portuguese DJ Ka§par will be up tomorrow, followed by part 2, his photoshoot, and a sickeningly good exclusive mix he did for the site. I might even have a guest blogger in my back pocket!

I have a feeling it’s going to be an exciting couple of months!

- Retail DJ

Get Dressed to This: Mega Post!

28 Jul

In anticipation of the Retail DJ “Get Dressed for This” Showcase on August 4th, I am putting up a new “Get Dressed to This” each and every night between now and the party!

Why the switch in prepositions, you may ask? Well, during the “Get Dressed to This” post, I include a great mix for you to listen to while you are getting ready to go out, something for you to get dressed TO, plus an outfit to inspire you as you put together your own. But for this party, the DJs and the mixing will be live, right before your eyes and ears, so it’s something you’ll need to get dressed FOR. The event is the end result.

This week, I want to build your excitement for the Get Dressed for This Showcase with a mix each night and a new outfit to get ready for fall. Yes, fall! It’s right around the corner, so some of the outfits during this week’s megaposting will be to inspire you for the upcoming season.

I listened to hundreds of songs and mixes as of late to filter out all the garbage and put up only the best, so you have a lot to look forward to! A bulk of the clothing will be by ALLSAINTS SPITALFIELDS as a thank you to them for a) supplying beautiful clothes, but also b) for being the one place to meet my dress needs for the party!  They are truly a godsend.

So get ready, folks. A nightly set of music and fashion is coming your way starting tonight, so be on the lookout!

Beijos!

- Retail DJ

Did I Tell You I Was Throwing an 8-Hour Party?

23 Jul

Well, I am.

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